Uc not going back to work

[ash646668]

I was lead to believe in my first meeting for universal credit that I wouldn't be expected to get a job untill my baby went to school at 4. I've now found out they expect you to go back to work at 3. My baby is only 6 months at the moment but I'm thinking ahead. I don't have any family who can look after her and my partner works full time. I am really against her going to nursery and even if I did send her I can't imagine I could get a job with limited availability as a carer. They are typically 12 hour shifts including weekend. Has anyone else experienced not working after baby turns 3 and waiting until they are ready for school. And what happened with universal credit.

The amount we get plus wages does not equal two amounts of earnings.

People are so lucky if they have family nearby willing to help.

The system is set up to penalise people who work and benefit people who don't, and I think a little resentment and frustration is a natural response

I think most people will agree with you. Let's hope the Labour government is serious about 'getting people back to work' rather than incentivising them to stay at home

Still reading through the whole thread but I'm also shocked and disappointed that the OP is able to do this whilst the rest of us have to work.

Get back to work or get your husband to pay for you for that year. Why should I?

Hard agree

@IsThisAVespa response to this slow - partly because I have a 4 month old who crawls to danger every few seconds tbh.

I am, as an ex citizen's advice advisor, completely sorry that you weren't informed of your rights. The UK is a bit of a shambles regarding this.

You're right, if every woman takes time out of work we're made useless, but I never wanted equal rights. I wanted to be a housewife with 6/7 children and feel hard done by that option got eroded.

I did consider working as a nursery nurse but pay is too low

For the hundredth time most people that claim UC work. Might be better use of your energy to figure why that is.

I doubt they will. If they want to stay at home to make the most of their children growing up there's nothing wrong with that. I'll be going back 10 hours a week when I'm coming off maternity so I can enjoy the time with my babas.

40% isn't most

So if it is lower paid why not check if you can claim? Sorry you didn't realise but that isn't the fault of OP. If in the case of quite a few of us with no family nearby to quickly look after the children because you have a later shift then you can see why people are thinking of doing the same as OP. Your colleagues might manage it but that doesn't mean other families can.

I imagine it's because that's when they can go into larger nursery classes rather than baby rooms with 1:2 ratios.

UC goes by wages and not hours so I wouldn't worry about that. We are looking at another child soon. Fingers crossed. 👍

Don't be not picky. UC is actually a benefit that mainly benefits working people. By working you lift the cap on benefits so it is better to work.

Didn't mean to annoy you. My image of most is over 50%.

Nope... I do agree with those PP. I think it's wrong.

I totally get wanting to stay at home with your 'babas' and no one is saying there is anything wrong with wanting that..... but people should only be able to do that if they themselves can afford to. Not by living off benefits. It's all kinds of wrong in economic terms. SAHM life is a complete luxury than most women in the UK cannot afford, so we slog it back to the workplace when our kids are 9m-12m old.

With the increase in childcare funded hours I really do think there needs to be serious review of the policies here so that people are expected to look for work of at least 20-30hours if on UC. I am actually shocked by this!

There might be an increase of funded hours but I had to wait several months to start my son for two mornings a week. I count myself lucky as apparently the nursery is now full until next May. There might be more funding but good luck getting a place.

I totally get wanting to stay at home with your 'babas' and no one is saying there is anything wrong with wanting that..... but people should only be able to do that if they themselves can afford to

Nope. Pay it

Everyone in the country should be able to stay at home with their babies

If they want to…

And can afford to without relying on benefits

Edited for quote fail: meant to quote the comment that "most people on UC work".

Yes, but this thread derail isn't about Universal Credit as a whole; it's specifically about women who DON'T work, in order to be SAHMs, and about what many of us perceive as the inherent unfairness of that provision, given that it relies upon most women not accessing it.

@Namebechanged no need to apologise - it wouldn't be practical for the CAB to individually contact every parent to inform them of their rights! But it's a shame it's not publicised in the same way that Child Benefit is. We were told about that by our midwife, then again in the Bounty pack, and I think on the website when we booked the appointment to register the birth.

@IVFmumoftwo Yes, I will look into what I can claim. And I'm grateful that this thread has brought to my attention that I may be entitled to something. I'm just disheartened to have missed out on something I can never get back.

Benefits are not a lot you know. I'll be working and staying on benefits. Yeah only 10 hours but still you don't get minted

Then work more so you don’t need them. Or get your partner to work more. Taxpayers money shouldn’t be used to subsidise choices.

Would you really choose to work more if you had the same choice?

Yes, because I think my responsibility is first and foremost to be able to support myself and my family,

People are obviously not doing anything wrong by claiming what they’re entitled to. I just don’t think they should be entitled to make the choice to rely on taxpayers money and I hope Labour change the rules so they can’t.

If someone can’t work, that’s totally different.